Students get insight into Parliament

Students from Hyde Clarendon College swapped the classroom for the debating chamber when they visited the House of Commons.

The sixth formers began their day-long visit with a tour around the Palace of Westminster, which includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Then they learned about the drafting and making of laws – from the development of an idea to the moment it receives Royal Assent.

As part of the interactive session led by Parliament's Education Service the teenagers came up with the idea for the ‘Abolish University Fees Act’ – which they debated and voted on.

Then – at the end of the visit - they got the chance to quiz Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds about his role as local MP and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband.

Mr Reynolds – who has made a number of visits to the college – told the young people how he became an MP, about the nature of his work and about the enquiries he gets from constituents.